From the beginning of the 9-month adventure of the baby in the womb, many factors create and affect the baby’s immune system, including the birth and development process. To summarize;
- Cesarean delivery is the most common cause of dysbiosis (disruption of intestinal bacteria). According to the information published by WHO, cesarean section is preferred at a rate of 15% in the world, while it is applied at a rate of 53.2% in our country. According to this information, our country is the third country in the world after China and Brazil, which perform the most cesarean sections. In cesarean deliveries, the immune system can match only in one year.
- Diabetes and obesity in children in Turkey; shows a very significant increase. These are also immune risk factors. Rabbits reach twice the birth weight in 6 days, cattle in 47 days, and humans in about 180 days. Therefore, milk given other than breast milk causes obesity.
- Breast milk is the first symbiotic. That is, it is effective in the child’s adaptation to life. It has serious effects on the work success, popularity, and healthy growth of the child. For this reason, it should not be forgotten that breast milk has an important place in protecting and developing the immune system of the baby. Plain breast milk should be given in the first six months and should be stopped around the age of two.
- In maternal factors; mother’s use of antibiotics, stress, diet, etc. factors are effective in the formation of the baby’s immune system. Breast milk is very important in the formation of the baby’s microbiota. Especially the first 1000 days of the baby is important in the formation of the immune system. For this reason, breastfeeding mothers should pay attention to the medications they use and try to avoid stress and eat a balanced diet.
- The use of antibiotics is high in Turkey. Almost 40% of the prescriptions written contain antibiotics. The use of antibiotics plays an important role in disrupting the balance of intestinal bacteria and is negative in terms of microbiota in all age groups. After the use of antibiotics, the real microbiota occurs in 100 days. Antibiotics should be given according to the antibiogram test.
- Allergic nature and diseases also weaken immunity.
Considering these scientific facts, we can say that both mother and baby nutrition are very important in increasing immunity. In the feeding of babies, breastmilk should be preferred. A rich balanced nutrition program with natural and seasonal vegetables and fruits should be applied in the diet of mothers. Antibiotic use should be limited as much as possible, stress should be avoided and normal delivery should be preferred.
Galip KIRICI, M.D
Pediatrician
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